This is Spoken Gospel.
We’re dedicated to seeing Jesus in all of scripture.
In each episode, we see what’s happening in a Biblical text
and how it sheds light on Jesus and his gospel.
Let’s jump in.
Psalm 48 was sung as pilgrims traveled to Jerusalem to worship God.
And as they draw near the city, they see God’s might and splendor in the architecture.
Its many towers, imposing ramparts, and citadels make Jerusalem seem impenetrable and invincible.
It causes God’s pilgrims to celebrate the power of God
and relax in the joy of being invincibly protected even before they get there.
Despite this invincibility, enemies rally together to attack God’s city.
But as soon as they see it, they are struck dumb with terror.
God’s citadels tower over them.
And the sight of God’s imposing defensive buildings feels like an all-out assault.
They’re paralyzed by God’s presence in his city and
are destroyed without God ever picking up a sword.
One look at Jerusalem destroys them like ships wrecked at sea.
And with a God like this, the citizens of God’s city are secure forever.
When the pilgrims finally enter into the heart of the city,
a temple welcomes them to experience not God’s power to destroy, but God’s heart.
Inside the temple, God’s loving presence dwells with his people.
They see God’s moral purity, they meditate on his love,
they enjoy his mercy, they delight in his wisdom, and they experience his glory.
The psalmist then invites his readers to be like the pilgrims
he’s described - to come and see firsthand God’s might and beauty
on display because his mountain city is waiting to be explored.
And like a good guide, God will welcome pilgrims of all generations
to see and experience his glory and his city forever.
[music]
In the book of Revelation, another pilgrim, the apostle John,
is invited to come and consider a New Jerusalem.
But just before John beholds this beautiful sight,
the enemies of God rally together to besiege God’s city.
But like in this psalm, they are routed and completely destroyed.
God renders them unable to approach the city gates but welcomes John with open arms.
Like the first Jerusalem, its measurements, walls, gates,
foundations, gold, and jewels all speak of God’s beauty, justice, and protection.
But unlike the old Jerusalem, this new Jerusalem lacks a temple
where pilgrims can enter God’s presence and experience his love.
That is because Jesus is the temple of the New Jerusalem.
At the center of the New Jerusalem is not a building but God himself waiting to be explored!
And as citizens of this new city, we will have the privilege
of considering firsthand every facet of God’s heart.
All God’s beauty and strength shine in the full radiance of Jesus.
Jesus is God’s love, Jesus is God’s mercy, wisdom, power, and glory.
And we will get to explore and enjoy him forever.
I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see God and his city.
And may you see Jesus as God’s visible might and beauty in whom we can experience God’s presence.